When we work with individuals we help identify their core strengths as we believe you are the most successful when you build on your strengths.  When working with a young professional in her job search we started to assess her strengths and what she enjoyed.  Clarifying her strengths certainly aids in designing a resume and targeting a new career direction – however it is really just the first step.

What becomes more lasting after the career search is over is how you continue to build on your natural strengths.

This becomes the time when the real openness and work begins.   Let’s use the example of someone who relates well with people and who naturally brings ‘harmony’ to a team environment.  At an entry level this is a nice addition to a team…if you’ve hired this person you may think…good – I’m not adding drama to my team.   But the real question is how do you leverage and develop this strength?

1.        Developing this strength – so that the harmony quotient encompasses the end goal/result; the linkage between outcome and harmony. Work with the employee to blend their harmony strength and the understanding of the goals and culture of the company.

2.       View opportunities that need harmony…an example may be departments that feel like silos?  This may be a great area for this person to blend the department needs and interactions between teams.

3.        As an employee with harmony strength….be open to developing that skill to a higher level with greater impact.   An example of using harmony skills may be seeing opportunities of how to engage and listen to others in a meeting.

If you’re curious what your strengths are – check out Strengths Finder – by Tom Rath.

Jodi Wiff and Mike Krutza are leadership coaches who help clients to achieve a new level of leadership in their careers and lives.